Wash. R. for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct 5.7

(a) Dismissal by Disciplinary Counsel. Disciplinary counsel may dismiss grievances with

or without investigation. On dismissal, disciplinary counsel must notify the grievant of the

procedure for review in this rule.

(b) Review of Dismissal. A grievant may request review of dismissal of the grievance by

depositing in the mail or transmitting a written request for review to disciplinary counsel no later

than 45 days after disciplinary counsel transmits the notice of dismissal. If the request for review

is deposited in the mail, it must be postage prepaid. If review is requested, disciplinary counsel

may either reopen the matter for investigation or refer it to a review committee. If no timely

request for review is made, the dismissal is final and may not be reviewed. Disputes regarding

timeliness may be submitted to a review committee. A grievant may withdraw in writing a

request for review, but thereafter the request may not be revived.

(c) Report in Other Cases. Disciplinary counsel must report to a review committee the

results of investigations except those dismissed or diverted. The report may include a

recommendation that the committee order a hearing or issue an advisory letter or admonition.

(d) Authority on Review. In reviewing grievances under this rule, a review committee

may:

(1) dismiss the grievance;

(2) affirm the dismissal;

(3) dismiss the grievance and issue an advisory letter under rule 5.8;

(4) issue an admonition under rule 13.5;

(5) order a hearing on the alleged misconduct; or

(6) order further investigation as may appear appropriate.

(e) Issuing Admonition or Ordering Hearing without Recommendation from

Disciplinary Counsel. When the review committee decides to issue an admonition or order a

matter to hearing, and such action has not been recommended by disciplinary counsel, the

committee shall issue notice of its intended action and state the reasons therefor. The matter

shall be set for reconsideration by a review committee. The grievant, the respondent lawyer, and

the disciplinary counsel may submit additional materials. On reconsideration, the committee

may take any action authorized by subsection (d) of this rule.

(f) Action Final. Except as provided in subsection (e), a review committee’s action under

this rule is final and not subject to further review.